Difference Between Tuberculoid and Lepromatous Leprosy

Leprosy has traditionally been classified into two major types, tuberculoid and lepromatous. Patients with tuberculoid leprosy have limited disease and relatively few bacteria in the skin and nerves, while lepromatous patients have widespread disease and large numbers of bacteria.

1. What is lepromatous leprosy?
2. What is Tuberculoid leprosy?
3. What is the difference between Paucibacillary and Multibacillary leprosy?
4. What are the three types of leprosy?
5. What is leprosy called today?
6. Is there a vaccine for leprosy?
7. What is the best treatment for leprosy?
8. Do lepers feel pain?
9. Who is at risk for leprosy?
10. What are the two types of leprosy?
11. How is leprosy prevented?
12. How long is treatment for Paucibacillary leprosy?

What is lepromatous leprosy?

Lepromatous leprosy is a form of leprosy characterized by pale macules in the skin. It results from the failure of Th1 cell activation which is necessary to eradicate the mycobacteria (Th1 response is required to activate macrophages that engulf and contain the disease).

What is Tuberculoid leprosy?

Tuberculoid leprosy is a form of leprosy characterized by solitary skin lesions that are asymmetrically distributed with few lesions and well demarcated edges. There is also early and marked nerve damage.

What is the difference between Paucibacillary and Multibacillary leprosy?

Paucibacillary patients are those who are skin smear negative and show no evidence of more advanced disease on biopsy. Multibacillary patients are those who are skin smear positive and/or have a biopsy indicating more advanced disease.

What are the three types of leprosy?

The first system recognizes three types of leprosy: tuberculoid, lepromatous, and borderline. A person's immune response to the disease determines which of these types of leprosy they have: In tuberculoid leprosy, the immune response is good. A person with this type of infection only exhibits a few lesions.

What is leprosy called today?

Hansen's disease (also known as leprosy) is an infection caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. It can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose (nasal mucosa). With early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can be cured.

Is there a vaccine for leprosy?

Vaccination against leprosy

There is no vaccine generally available to specifically prevent leprosy. However, the vaccine against tuberculosis (TB), called the BCG vaccine , may provide some protection against leprosy.

What is the best treatment for leprosy?

Hansen's disease is treated with a combination of antibiotics. Typically, 2 or 3 antibiotics are used at the same time. These are dapsone with rifampicin, and clofazimine is added for some types of the disease. This is called multidrug therapy.

Do lepers feel pain?

Nerve damage can lead to a dangerous loss of feeling. If you have leprosy-related nerve damage, you may not feel pain when you get cuts, burns, or other injuries on your hands, legs, or feet.

Who is at risk for leprosy?

Leprosy can develop at any age but appears to develop most often in people aged 5 to 15 years or over 30. It is estimated that more than 95% of people who are infected with Mycobacterium leprae do not develop leprosy because their immune system fights off the infection.

What are the two types of leprosy?

Leprosy has traditionally been classified into two major types, tuberculoid and lepromatous. Patients with tuberculoid leprosy have limited disease and relatively few bacteria in the skin and nerves, while lepromatous patients have widespread disease and large numbers of bacteria.

How is leprosy prevented?

The best way to prevent the spread of leprosy is the early diagnosis and treatment of people who are infected. For household contacts, immediate and annual examinations are recommended for at least five years after last contact with a person who is infectious.

How long is treatment for Paucibacillary leprosy?

What is the WHO recommended multidrug regimen for treatment of leprosy?